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Middle of the World

Middle of the World

5.3
3.5/5
36 reviews
Middle of the World stands in the San Antonio area, and locals call it "Mitad del Mundo," meaning "Middle of the World". The country name "Ecuador" in Spanish literally means "equator". In 1736, the French Academy of Sciences sent a geodetic surveying team here to measure the meridian arc and calculate the Earth's shape. To commemorate that scientific expedition, Ecuador erected an old monument approx. 10m high in 1936. The old monument was later moved intact to the town of Calacalí a few kilometers away. The 30m-tall pyramidal monument you see today was built in 1982, following the old monument's design but on a much larger scale. The monument's structure is iron and concrete, clad in cut and polished andesite. Its four faces are aligned with east, south, west, and north, each marked with the corresponding Spanish letter for the direction and inscriptions honoring the French and Spanish scientists of the expedition. Atop the monument sits a metal globe approx. 4.5m in diameter, with the continents shown in relief and a metal band encircling it at the equator. The globe's axis is aligned with the Earth's axis. Inside the monument is a small ethnographic museum displaying the traditional dress and daily life of Ecuador's various ethnic groups. An elevator takes visitors up to an observation deck on the monument's top, offering views of the whole site and the distant Andean valley. Busts of the expedition's scientists line both sides of the avenue from the entrance to the monument. A yellow marker line runs straight from the center of the front steps across the plaza, dividing the ground into two — standing with one foot on each side to take a photo with one foot in the northern hemisphere and one in the southern is a common activity here. Around the spring and fall equinoxes, at noon the sun is nearly overhead and shadows almost disappear. On weekends the plaza often features music and dance performances. Interestingly, modern GPS measurements show that the true equator is actually a little over 200m north of the marker, so the line is more symbolic.Quito · 19.9 km from downtown
Basílica del Voto Nacional
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Pichincha

Basílica del Voto Nacional

5.2
4.0/5
57 reviews
Basílica del Voto Nacional is located on the north side of Quito Old Town and is one of the largest Neo-Gothic churches in the Americas. It originated from the "National Vow" of 1883, when Ecuador consecrated the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Construction began in 1892, and after approx. a century, it was consecrated in 1988. Its twin towers are 115 m high and can be seen by looking up from many streets in the old town. The details of this basilica that are particularly worth noting are hidden on the walls and towers: the gargoyles commonly used in European Gothic churches have been replaced here by native Ecuadorian animals such as armadillos, pumas, iguanas, sea turtles, and blue-footed boobies, and a sculpture of the Andean condor, a national symbol, stands atop the tower. The crypt also houses the National Pantheon of Ecuador, where several former leaders are laid to rest. Climbing the tower is the highlight of a visit here: follow the stairs all the way up, first crossing the wooden bridge suspended above the nave, then continuing through the bell tower to the Condor Tower, where you can take in the panoramic view of the old town's rolling red-tiled roofs, the statue of the Virgin on El Panecillo hill, and the distant Pichincha Volcano. The second half of the climb consists mainly of steep stairs and wooden ladders. Visitors with a fear of heights should assess their own abilities, as stopping at the bell tower also offers a wide, open view.Quito · 5.8 km from downtown

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Featured Culture & history in Quito

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Quito Highlights Audio Tour: Colonial Treasures
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Private Day Tour of Quito and Middle of the World
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5.0/5
· 37 reviews
Duration: 6 hrs
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Quito: City Highlights and Food Walking Tour
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5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 3.5 hrs
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Quito: Mitad del Mundo, Cable Car, and Virgen del Panecillo
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 7 hrs
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From Quito: Full-Day Tour of the Middle of the World, Pululahua Crater, and Rumicucho Ruins
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From Quito: Full-Day Excursion to Otavalo and Cotacachi
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4.2/5
· 5 reviews
Duration: 9 hrs
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Quito Bites and Bricks with a Local Chef
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Featured Food & drink in Quito

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Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation
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4.9/5
· 163 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
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Ecuador Food Tour
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5.0/5
· 12 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
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Quito: Night street food, art and drinks
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4.8/5
· 12 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings
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4.9/5
· 310 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
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Quito: Street Food Essentials
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4.8/5
· 19 reviews
Duration: 3.5 hrs
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Quito 360 Bike Tour: From Modern to Historic with Chocolate Tasting
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5.0/5
· 1 review
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Featured Spa & wellness in Quito

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Papallacta Hot Springs & Cloud Forest Reserve Private Tour
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4.9/5
· 17 reviews
Duration: 7 hrs
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Quito: Termas de Papallacta in the midst of nature
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 6 hrs
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From Quito: Termas de Papallacta, Nature, and Landscape Full Day Tour
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Private Full Day Experience at Papallacta Hot Springs
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5.0/5
· 20 reviews
Duration: 7 hrs
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Papallacta Hot Springs: Relax in Ecuador's Andes Mountain Range
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5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 6 hrs
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Papallacta Thermals Pools Private Day Trip from Quito
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4.9/5
· 16 reviews
Duration: 8–9 hrs
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Termas de Papallacta Hot Springs full day tour from Quito
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4.9/5
· 18 reviews
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Featured Day tours in Quito

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Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip
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4.4/5
· 7 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
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Quito: Middle of the World Tour with entrances every day
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4.5/5
· 55 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
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Cotopaxi Full-Day from Quito Including Entrances
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4.9/5
· 879 reviews
Duration: 12 hrs
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1-day tour to Cotopaxi Volcano from Quito, Ecuador (from 1 person)
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Quilotoa Lagoon Full-Day Tour from Quito with Entrance Fees daily
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4.9/5
· 364 reviews
Duration: 11 hrs
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What travelers say about Quito

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zhulei831230October 19, 2020
3.0
The old town is pretty good, and the view from the top of a nearby mountain overlooking the entire old town is also very spectacular. It is densely packed with old houses of various colors. The most prominent and spectacular one here is the cathedral, which really gives people a feeling of standing out from the crowd.

Quito Old Town

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小凌60October 19, 2020
3.0
The building of the Presidential Palace itself is quite ordinary, not tall and magnificent, but this place is indeed a symbol of independence and politics for the entire country, so many people come here to check in, and it is decorated quite well.

Carondelet Palace

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翱翔的大鲨鱼March 5, 2020
4.0
This is a popular tourist attraction in the southern suburbs of Quito. The so-called equator is the zero degree meridian. It is the boundary between the northern and southern hemispheres. There is a small museum here that you can visit. The nearby attractions are also good.

Middle of the World

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韭娄April 11, 2020
4.0
The National Vow Church is called "Basilica" by the locals. It is 151 meters tall and can be seen from any side of the city. It is indeed tall enough. Inside, it is very simple and there are not many things. There is an additional fee to climb to the top, which is not expensive. We were tired and did not go up. Other churches in Quito are much more luxurious than this one.

Basílica del Voto Nacional

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乖小咪August 19, 2019
5.0
Carolina Park in Quito is a large natural national park in Ecuador. The scenery here is very magnificent, with endless peaks, long and winding coastline, and majestic valleys, all of which make it the most popular natural attraction in Quito.

Parque La Carolina

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_TS***14September 27, 2019
5.0
It's so beautiful, with the ancient Inca and Spanish architecture, it's like entering Europe. The square is very comfortable and leisurely, you can bask in the sun and feed pigeons, and maybe even watch the honor guard performance

Independence Square

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Quito?

Don't miss these attractions in Quito: Quito Old Town, Carondelet Palace, and Middle of the World. If you like Culture & history, try Quito Highlights Audio Tour: Colonial Treasures. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation.

You can give Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation and Ecuador Food Tour a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip, Quito: Middle of the World Tour with entrances every day, and Ecuador Quito Cotopaxi Volcano National Park and Limpiopungo Lake 1-day tour. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 3, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Quito is around RUB 2,698.17 – RUB 25,812.23. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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